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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Z Overlord on Thu, 17 February 2011, 22:56:25

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: Z Overlord on Thu, 17 February 2011, 22:56:25

I have a modern mech keyboard I like (Armor U9BL) but my friend has a horrid foam or w/e keyboard whose keys are mushy and almost depressing.

He likes the clickity nature of my keyboard, but he'd never in a million years spend $100 on a keyboard.

He doesn't care for aesthetics.

What's a solution to this horrible situation?

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: Tony on Thu, 17 February 2011, 23:03:32

Try to find one in Ebay and Geekhack classified. And have 50USD ready.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: theferenc on Thu, 17 February 2011, 23:36:14

You can generally pick up a Model M for less than $50, shipped. No guarantees on condition, though.

For $50 plus shipping, you can often pick up a cleaned/refurbished/bolt modded Model M here in the classifieds.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: Z Overlord on Thu, 17 February 2011, 23:37:06

ah nice, will check this out tomorrow.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: Hak Foo on Thu, 17 February 2011, 23:57:23

A Dell AT101W might be a fair cheap choice also; they used to be really cheap, but now they're a little rarer.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: turbocharged on Fri, 18 February 2011, 08:39:27

Give either a Compaq MX-11800 or Cherry MX-11900 (G80-11900) a go. They are always on ebay for less than $50 shipped and have Cherry MX brown/black switches respectively. The layout is less than optimal, but its not bad once you get used to it.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: steeef on Fri, 18 February 2011, 09:45:24

Quote from: turbocharged;297184

Give either a Compaq MX-11800 or Cherry MX-11900 (G80-11900) a go. They are always on ebay for less than $50 shipped and have Cherry MX brown/black switches respectively. The layout is less than optimal, but its not bad once you get used to it.

The Compaq was my first, and it's a good introduction to browns. Once I decided not to keep it, it was really easy to sell it in the Classifieds forum.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: chimera15 on Fri, 18 February 2011, 11:20:52

There are blue cherry boards out there.  I think the razer mechanical isn't much more than $50.

$80.  You can probably find it on amazon or ebay for less.

http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.211324200 (http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.211324200)

Lowest I saw it was about $65.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: Ekaros on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:19:24

Model M as used. On new either Blackwidow or 6Gv2. Also older boards are always possibility.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: chimera15 on Fri, 18 February 2011, 12:37:29

There was a focus 2001 on ebay for about $40 the other day.  Not sure if it's still there.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: Pylon on Fri, 18 February 2011, 19:14:55

Yard sale or thrift store.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 18 February 2011, 20:30:24

I like 'em old and cheap too...wait, were you talking about keyboard??

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 18 February 2011, 20:47:47

http://cgi.ebay.com/REFURB-1995-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1396790-737-/140509293659?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item20b701ac5b (http://cgi.ebay.com/REFURB-1995-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1396790-737-/140509293659?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item20b701ac5b)

Here's an IBM  Model  M with  good rivets. You can  buy it now for $35,  not including shipping. A little pricey for a Model M, but your friend can definitely get plenty of  miles on this one.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: NamelessPFG on Sat, 19 February 2011, 19:36:24

Thrift stores just might yield a good keyboard, if you're lucky. I got my second IBM Model M that way.

A Model M I wouldn't mind offering to you, if you're interested. 1370477, Lexmark, drainage channels, single-piece keycaps, and a detachable cable.

Title: Any old or cheap mech. keyboards?
Post by: aegrotatio on Sun, 20 February 2011, 22:25:48

I recommend the DSI ASK-6600 mechanical keyboard.  it's still in production and goes on sale fairly regularly.
In fact, it's on sale again for $41 today.  DSI sells them on their site and eBay.

http://dsi-keyboards.com/kb-6600butraditionalalpsmechanicalswitchkeyboardusbps2ask-6600.aspx